Karl Lagerfeld + Carine Roitfeld = sheer Chanel brilliance

Carine Roitfeld has done well for herself after leaving Vogue Paris. First, Barneys CEO Mark Lee hired her to style the Barneys catalogue and windows, and then fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld had her style the new Chanel Autumn-Winter 2011/12 campaign. Shot in a photobooth in Paris (by Mr. Lagerfeld himself, of course), the ad sees the return of Freja Beha Erichsen for her fifth consecutive Chanel campaign.

These images previewed at the recent Cannes Film Festival, ensuring my appetite was fully whetted.

With my penchant for green (absolutely necessary when one is Irish), this next image is a personal favourite:

It may be no coincidence that this collaboration with Carine also sees the inimitable fashion powerhouse veer away slightly from its elegant, "stuffy" roots and sidle down a sexier side street. It's definitely no secret that Ms. Roitfeld laments the "big business" approach the fashion industry has taken and longs for the playfulness it used to exude (as evidenced in last month's Spiegel interview), so perhaps this is her attempt to return to that.

And long may it continue! Let Mr. Lagerfeld worry about making the clothes and the money, while Ms. Roitfeld finds how to have fun with fashion once again.

It's a thumbs up for Karl and Carine from NYADF.

Roger Vivier Belle Vivier Bête de Mode Clutch

First in a soon-to-be regular series of Wednesday wantsies is this Roger Vivier clutch. From the Spring-Summer 2011 line, this woven straw beauty stirs up images of blue skies and sandy beaches.

The patent leather crab adds a splash of colour, while the classic shape and clasp keep it grown up.

Throw on a kaftan, some espadrilles and a floppy hat - the bigger the better - and grab this bad boy for effortless laid-back glamour.

Who says fashion can't be functional and fun?

R is for Reiss... and Royalty

So the Obamas met the... the... whatever they're calling themselves these days. You know the ones... This pair:

But while I was busy wondering if some new law has been passed that says everyone must now clasp their hands in front of them at all times during conversation, there were others out there wondering what Kate - sorry, Princess Catherine - was wearing. And it wasn't long before they sussed out it was a highstreet dress. Reiss, to be exact. The Shola dress, to be even more exact. (You can see it here but, be warned, the site will crash several times a second, and the dress will sell out before the night is through.) The clutch, I'm informed, is Anya Hindmarch.

Props to the Princess for keeping it highstreet with her clothing. She was always known for it before the nuptials (especially for the Reiss dress she wore to the official engagement announcement), and it's nice to see that, now she's a royal, she's still keeping it real.

Highstreet hats off to you, ma'am.

(Reiss must be laughing all the way to the bank.)

Black and white and slashed all over

THIS, my dears, is how you do sexy secretary.

Michael Kors sent Daphne Groeneveld down the runway in this beautiful monochrome ensemble from his Fall 2011 collection, and office workers everywhere bemoaned their own staid staples.

So while you're checking out the rest of the collection over on Style.com, I'll be busy with an old skirt and a scissors.

Billboard Awards brings the blah

Picking a 'best dressed' for the Billboard Music Awards this year was tough, but not because there was stiff competition. Rather, decent duds were so thin on the ground that, frankly, I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel here. Nonetheless, the NYADF Award for "best dressed" goes to Rihanna.

A little (or a lot) understated for Rihanna, so she gets props for keeping it elegant and actually managing to surprise us with her Max Azria outfit. Still underwhelming overall, however. Though the hair adds a pop of colour, I can't help but think a bright belt would have gone a long way to keeping the look young and fresh. (Maybe she could borrow Cheryl Cole's.)

Honourable mention goes to Taylor Swift who at least made an effort to jazz up the proceedings in this swanky Elie Saab number.

The 'worst dressed' list would be a looong one, so let's just be thankful I'm sparing your eyes the horror.

Who was your best/worst dressed?

Have you got specs appeal?

That's what Specsavers Ireland want to know. They're on the lookout for their Spectacle Wearer of the Year 2011. Think you're too cool for Specsavers school? Check out the amazing prizes the Irish winner will walk away with:

• An Irish Spectacle Wearer of the Year 2011 trophy
• A portfolio from top fashion photographer Lili Forberg (check out her site here for some of the amazing work she's done)
• A goody bag (which all runners-up will also receive)
• A €215 Specsavers eyecare voucher

AND, the best prize of all:

• A year's modelling representation with top Irish agency Assets Model Agency!

(Darren Kennedy over on HelpMyStyle.ie is also reporting that the prize will include a make-up masterclass with make-up artist extraordinaire Zoe Clarke, but I've yet to confirm that.)

The winner will also gain automatic entry into the Grand Final in London, where the prizes are even MORE amazing, if you can believe it.

The competition is open to lads and lassies over 16. And get this - they don't even have to be prescription glasses. If you wear yours for strictly fashion purposes, you're still eligible to enter.

I'm already rooting out my frames...

And as if that wasn't enough (you're a tough bunch to please), for every eligible entry, Specsavers will donate €1 to the anti-bullying charity Kidscape.

So if you can rock a pair of specs with the best of the best - or you simply want to do your bit for charity - submit your picture on their Facebook page, on their website, or simply pop it into any Specsavers store around the country.

Girl crushing in Cannes

One of my biggest style icons is Gwen Stefani, and here's why:

Pictured in one of her own creations (visit her L.A.M.B. site here) and carrying Roger Vivier's "Miss Viv' Punk" from his couture Rendezvous Collection, she looked every inch the star at the AmfAR's Cinema Against AIDS Gala, which was held last Thursday at the Hotel Du Cap in Antibes, France.

Another on my 'best dressed and skinny as a whippet' list is Mia Wasikowska who rocked the Gala's red carpet in this stunning Roland Mouret creation.

Honourable mention goes to Janet Jackson for giving it a go in this beautifully coloured Haider Ackermann get-up:

See pictures of some of the other attendees at the Gala over on Style.com.

Who was your best dressed?

Marchesa on my mind

Image courtesy of www.marchesa.com

I'm getting married next year and have been dreaming about wearing this dress from Marchesa's Fall 2010 collection for the reception. In fact, I've been dreaming about wearing this dress, period.

Featuring a pleated ruffled pinwheel tulle skirt, nude lining and intricate star-detail embroidery, it's the perfect mix of sexy and edgy, feminine and fashion forward.

Although outside the budget of this mere mortal, if I had my pick of any item of clothing in the world, this dress would be it.

A girl can dream.